"Then your loss will be so much the less."
"But what right has he to treat me so? Did you ever before hear of such a thing? Why is he to be allowed to go back,—without punishment,—more than another?"
"What punishment would you wish?"
"That he should be beaten within an inch of his life;—and if the inch were not there, I should not complain."
"And I am to do it,—to my absolute ruin, and to your great injury?"
"I think I could almost do it myself." And Lizzie raised her hand as though there were some weapon in it. "But, Frank, there must be something. You wouldn't have me sit down and bear it. All the world has been told of the engagement. There must be some punishment."
"You would not wish to have an action brought,—for breach of promise?"
"I would wish to do whatever would hurt him most,—without hurting myself," said Lizzie.
"You won't give up the necklace?" said Frank.
"Certainly not," said Lizzie. "Give it up for his sake,—a man that I have always despised?"